divertissement

English

Noun

divertissement (usually uncountable; plural divertissements)

1. An entertaining diversion
2. (ballet) A short ballet within a larger work, usually providing a break from the main plot
   • 2009 January 24, Alastair Macaulay, “A Young, Lively Crew From Florida Steps Up and Takes Flight”:

     Patricia Delgado, though taller and paler-skinned, strongly resembles Jeanette, and in Miami they often dance together (in the “Emeralds” pas de trois from “Jewels,” for example, or leading successive divertissements in Balanchine’s “Swan Lake”).

Usage notes

• Often written in italics (divertissement), or pronounced as a French word.

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French

Etymology

From the radical of the present participle of divertir, divertiss +‎ -ment.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /di.vɛʁ.tis.mɑ̃/, X-SAMPA: /di.vER.tis.mA~/
• Homophone: divertissements
• Hyphenation: di‧ver‧tisse‧ment

• Audio (FR)

  (file)

Noun

divertissement m. (plural divertissements)

1. entertainment